1. First Aid Essentials Slideshow Pictures
2. First Aid Bandaging Injuries Slideshow Pictures
3. First Aid Sprains & Strains Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• Compartment syndrome facts
• What is compartment syndrome?
• What causes compartment syndrome?
• What are the risk factors for compartment syndrome?
• What are the symptoms and signs of compartment syndrome?
• When should I seek medical care for compartment syndrome?
• How is compartment syndrome diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for compartment syndrome?
• Surgery (fasciotomy)
• What are the complications of compartment syndrome?
• What is the prognosis for compartment syndrome?
• Patient Comments: Compartment Syndrome - Symptoms
• Find a local Internist in your town
• Compartment Syndrome Index

Left unrecognized or untreated, the complications of acute compartment syndrome are irreversible. As swelling increases and muscle loses its blood supply, cells eventually die and muscle necrosis occurs. Complications include:

• muscle scarring, contracture and loss of function of the limb;
  
  
• infection;
  
  
• amputation;
  
  
• permanent nerve damage; and/or
  
  
• rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage.

Complications due to chronic or exercise induced compartment syndrome are rare but may include any of the above, especially if the person requires surgery to alleviate the chronic condition.

Acute compartment syndrome is a potentially devastating condition. Return of normal function and minimizing injury depends upon quick recognition of the situation and prompt surgical fasciotomy to resolve the increased pressure. The longer the delay to surgery, the more potential for permanent loss of muscle and nerve function. The prognosis for chronic compartment syndrome is usually excellent.

Bucholz RW, et.al., Rockwood and Green's Fracture in Adults. 6th ed. United States; Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2006

eMedicine.com. Compartment Syndrome, Exremity; Mulitmedia.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/828456-media>

National Institutes of Health. Compartment Syndrome.
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001224.htm>